Thumb saver

ABSTRACT

This device will save countless dally roping injuries, particularly thumb injuries. It will be comprised of a semi-rigid cylindrical device, which fits over an individual&#39;s thumb. A roping glove, which is commonly used with roping events, fits over the device and the hand to protect the person&#39;s fingers. Alternatively another embodiment can be used without a glove.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

This relates to protecting one's thumbs, particularly during dally roping events. Specifically, it will be a protective cover in the event that the thumb is caught between the saddle horn and a coil of the rope (known as the dally) during the roping process.

B. Prior Art

There are many other prior art references to thumb protectors, and some include hand protectors. Some of the devices are used while playing sports, and some are just used in a non-sports application. A representative example of this type of device in the prior art can be found at Swanbeck, U.S. Pat. No. 6,532,963. This device is a thumb protector and a method for protecting the thumb. A sleeve is placed over the thumb and is specifically related to trauma to a thumb when using a hammer. Another representative example can be found at Goldsmith, U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,117, which is an athletic glove thumb protector.

This particular device will be as a protective athletic glove in hockey, lacrosse and motorcycle racing. The device itself is a thumb protector, which has two elements secured to the thumb and also allows the thumb to move. It will cover the thumb area on the top as well as the sides but not on the bottom portion of the thumb.

Yet another example of a lacrosse thumb protector can be found at Behr, U.S. Pat. No. 5,963,985, which protects the thumb during the game of lacrosse.

The current application is used and applied only in a dally roping situation. In a dally roping event, the thumb protector is placed over the thumb and completely surrounds the thumb digit. A roping glove that is commonly used is placed over the device to secure the protector to the individual's hand. A roping glove is necessary to prevent chapping or burning the hand while handling the roper's ropes and also to secure this particular device. The device is made so that it is semirigid and is constructed from leather. It is not flexible however, through use it tends to conform somewhat to the shape of the thumb but it is simply a cylindrical tube into which the thumb digit is placed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This is a device to protect the thumb digit during a dally roping contest. During a dally roping rodeo contest, it is necessary to rope or capture certain large animals. In order to do this, a rope is used, which encircles part of the animal's body on one end of the rope and the other end is secured to the horn on the saddle. During this process, an individual is on a horse and wears a roping glove to prevent burning of the hands during the roping of the animal.

Once the animal is roped, a coil (dally) must then be made around the horn of the saddle. It is during this coiling (dallying) process that an individual's thumb can sometimes be caught between the rope and the saddle horn. This will allow the thumb to be amputated if the animal jerks suddenly and squeezes the rope against the horn.

This device will completely surround the thumb digit so that the thumb will be protected in the event that the animal jerks and the thumb is caught between the rope and the saddle horn.

It will be manufactured from materials that are commonly used to manufacture this type of device and leather is probably an excellent choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the device in use.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the device.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the second embodiment of the device in use.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

This is a dally roping thumb protector 5. It will completely surround the thumb digit to protect it during certain dally roping events, particularly when roping a large animal. When a large animal is being roped the rider on the horse uses a rope to attach to a part of the animal. The other end of the rope is coiled around the saddle horn of the saddle on the horse. During the coiling of the rope, the rider's thumb is in close proximity to the saddle horn.

If the animal jerks or there is any sudden movement the rider's thumb may be wedged between the rope and the saddle horn. If enough force is produced this may amputate a portion of the rider's thumb. This device should prevent this type of injury.

There may be two embodiments of this device: one is used with a glove and the other is secured to the hand with a strap. The roping glove for the first embodiment secures the thumb saver device to the individual's hand to prevent movement of the thumb saver during the dally roping event.

Although the majority of people will handle the rope with their right hand, this type of device may be used by either a right handed or a left handed person. For purposes of this application the device for a right-handed person will be depicted and described.

The device must be somewhat malleable, semi-rigid but durable for the comfort and protection of the roping participant and to not interfere with the roping event and the handling of the rope. Leather is probably an excellent choice of material for the construction of this device.

First Embodiment

In the first embodiment the device 5 is worn on the person's hand 1 under a roping glove 10. FIG. 1,2 Roping gloves 10 are commonly found in dally roping events and prevent burning of a person's hand when handling the rope. A specific type or brand of roping glove is not being claimed but will be used with the first embodiment.

The device 5 is placed over the thumb digit and covers the area from the tip of the thumb to the area between the thumb and the forefinger. An opening 14 in a cylindrical tube, which is closed at the end to cover the thumb at the tip, is provided. The person's thumb is inserted into this opening 14.

A cover piece 16, which is connected to the material for the opening extends to cover and protect the outside portion of the thumb and the area of the top of the hand between the thumb and first finger. FIG. 1 The device extends a predetermined distance along the outside of the hand adjacent to the thumb.

The two sides, which form the cylindrical opening into which the thumb is inserted, are connected together using a plurality of harness staples 12. FIG. 2 The roping glove is then placed over the device to keep it in place during the roping event. When the device is positioned on the hand and the glove is used to cover the hand, the means of connection for the sides, which form the cylindrical opening face away from the person.

Second Embodiment

Alternatively, the second embodiment envisions the use of the device without a glove. The use of a glove in a dally roping event is optional, specifically a personal preference, but gloves are typically used. The purpose of the glove is to protect the person's hand from burning as the rope is handled. In the second embodiment, a strap 18 is used to secure the device around the person's wrist. FIG. 3 One portion of the means to secure the device is on the end of the strap and the other portion is on the outside surface of the device. Many different types of means of securement may be used. Examples of the types of means of securement may include a hook and loop assembly or snaps and buttons. In the second embodiment the basic configuration of the rest of the device will remain the same. 

1. A thumb saver device, which is comprised of: a. a cylindrical tube; wherein an opening is provided in the tube; wherein the tube has two sides which are connected; wherein a person's thumb fits within the cylindrical tube; wherein the cylindrical tube is semi-rigid; wherein the tube is closed on one end; b. cover piece; wherein the cover piece extends a predetermined distance along the outside of the hand adjacent to the thumb; wherein the cover piece covers a predetermined area of the person's hand in the area between the person's thumb and first finger on the top of the hand; c. a roping glove; wherein a roping glove is placed over the device on the person's hand.
 2. The device as described in claim 1 wherein the means of connection for the sides of the cylindrical tube is a plurality of harness staples.
 3. A thumb saver device, which is comprised of: b. a cylindrical tube; wherein an opening is provided in the tube; wherein the tube has two sides which are connected; wherein a person's thumb fits within the cylindrical tube; wherein the cylindrical tube is semi-rigid; wherein the tube is closed on one end; b. cover piece; wherein the cover piece extends a predetermined distance along the outside of the hand adjacent to the thumb; wherein the cover piece covers a predetermined area of the person's hand in the area between the person's thumb and first finger on the top of the hand; c. means to secure; wherein a means to secure the device to the person's hand is provided; wherein a strap is provided; said strap has a first end and a second end; wherein the first end of the strap is connected to the device; wherein one portion of the means to secure is on the second end of the strap; wherein another portion of the means to secure is on the outside surface of the device.
 4. The device as described in claim 3 wherein the means to secure is a hook and loop assembly. 